Truxima (rituximab) vs Brukinsa (zanubrutinib)

Truxima (rituximab) vs Brukinsa (zanubrutinib)

Truxima (rituximab) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the CD20 protein found on the surface of B-cells, and is commonly used to treat certain types of blood cancers and autoimmune diseases. Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) is a small molecule inhibitor that targets Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), and is used for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma and other B-cell malignancies. When deciding between the two, it is essential to consider the specific diagnosis, as Truxima is often chosen for conditions like non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis, while Brukinsa is selected for its efficacy in B-cell malignancies that are responsive to BTK inhibition.

Difference between Truxima and Brukinsa

Metric Truxima (rituximab) Brukinsa (zanubrutinib)
Generic name Rituximab Zanubrutinib
Indications Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis Mantle cell lymphoma, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma
Mechanism of action CD20-directed cytolytic antibody Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Brand names Truxima, Rituxan, MabThera Brukinsa
Administrative route Intravenous infusion Oral
Side effects Infusion reactions, fever, lymphopenia, chills, infection Thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, upper respiratory tract infection, hemorrhage
Contraindications Severe infections, severe cardiac disease, hypersensitivity to rituximab or mouse proteins Hemorrhage, infections, cytopenias
Drug class Monoclonal antibody Tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Manufacturer Celltrion Healthcare, Genentech (Roche) BeiGene

Efficacy

Truxima (rituximab) Efficacy in Lymphoma Treatment

Truxima, a biosimilar to the original rituximab, is a monoclonal antibody that targets the CD20 antigen on the surface of pre-B and mature B lymphocytes. In the treatment of lymphoma, particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), rituximab has been a cornerstone in therapy. Clinical trials and subsequent real-world experience have demonstrated that rituximab, when used in combination with chemotherapy, improves overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with both indolent and aggressive forms of B-cell NHL. Truxima, by virtue of its similarity to rituximab, is expected to exhibit comparable efficacy in the treatment of these lymphomas.

Truxima has been approved for use in patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Its efficacy has been established through clinical trials that have shown it to be non-inferior to the reference product, rituximab, in terms of overall response rate and complete remission rates. This suggests that Truxima is an effective treatment option for patients with these types of lymphoma.

Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) Efficacy in Lymphoma Treatment

Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) is a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor that has shown promising results in the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Zanubrutinib has been designed to be more selective than the first-generation BTK inhibitors, potentially leading to fewer off-target effects and improved tolerability. Clinical trials have demonstrated that zanubrutinib can produce high response rates in patients with MCL, including those who have received prior therapies.

In addition to MCL, zanubrutinib is being investigated for its efficacy in other B-cell malignancies, including Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and marginal zone lymphoma. Early clinical data suggests that zanubrutinib has a favorable safety profile and is effective in inducing responses in these lymphomas as well. However, long-term data and further research are necessary to fully establish the efficacy and safety of zanubrutinib in the treatment of various subtypes of lymphoma.

Regulatory Agency Approvals

Truxima
  • European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
  • Health Canada
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia
  • Medsafe (NZ)
Brukinsa
  • European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA

Access Truxima or Brukinsa today

If Truxima or Brukinsa are not approved or available in your country (e.g. due to supply issues), you can access them via Everyone.org.

How it works

Make an enquiry

Choose the medicine you want to buy, answer a couple of questions, and upload your prescription to speed things up. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Breeze through the paperwork

We'll guide you through the required documents for importing unapproved medicine, ensuring you have all the necessary information.

Get a personalized quote

We’ll prepare a quote for you, including medicine costs and any shipping, administrative, or import fees that may apply.

Receive your medicine

Accept the quote and we’ll handle the rest - sourcing and safely delivering your medicine.

Some text on this page has been automatically generated. Speak to your physician before you start a new treatment or medication.

Let's talk

If you have any questions, call us or send us a message through WhatsApp or email:

Contact us
LV 0